Why Not Start with Film Photography?

Hello, I’m Kiyota, a member of FRAME TOKYO.

For the past five years, I’ve been shooting exclusively with film cameras.When people think about starting photography, the first obstacle they often face is the feeling that “camera gear must be expensive.” Digital SLRs and mirrorless cameras offer incredible performance, but once you factor in a body and lenses, the cost can rise quickly—making that first step feel a bit heavy.

Film cameras, on the other hand, are much more approachable. On the used market, you can often find solid options starting around ¥10,000. Of course, condition and models vary, but as an entry point—just to get your hands on a camera and start shooting—film offers many realistic and appealing choices.

Today, I’d like to share why I recommend film cameras, based on my own experience over the past five years, in the clearest way possible.

You Can Take Photos with an iPhone—So Why Film?

It’s true: you can take beautiful photos with an iPhone. It’s fast, convenient, and hard to mess up.Still, the reason I recommend film isn’t really about image quality—it’s about how it changes the way you engage with photography.

With film, you can’t check your photos immediately. Retakes aren’t easy.Because of that, you naturally start thinking before pressing the shutter:“How’s the light?”“Is there anything distracting in the frame?”“Should I move a little closer?”

And even after you finish shooting, the process continues. You start thinking,“Next time I’ll try this spot differently,” or“I want to come back here at another time of day.”

One roll leads to curiosity about the next—and that’s part of the joy.

The Fun of Not Knowing Until Development

One of the most obvious pleasures of film photography is that you don’t see the results until the film is developed.

After finishing a roll, you send it off for development. A few days later, you receive the scans—or prints.During that waiting time, you can’t help but wonder:“Did that shot turn out?”“How did that light come through?”

This sense of anticipation is something digital photography rarely offers.And when the photos finally come back, sometimes they look exactly as you imagined—and sometimes they’re completely different, in a way that’s surprisingly exciting.

Because film responds so strongly to light conditions, it’s less about controlling everything perfectly and more about making photographs together with the camera and the light. That collaborative feeling is something I really love.

A Recommended Camera Shop: KungFu Camera (VOID LENS)

The first film camera I ever bought was from KungFu Camera (VOID LENS).I initially picked up my first camera at one of their pop-up events in Daikanyama, and since then I’ve purchased two more cameras through their online store.

What makes them great is their reliability. Even with used cameras, they perform proper inspections and offer a warranty period after purchase. The condition checks for bodies and lenses are clearly explained, which really helps ease the biggest concern with buying cameras online.

Another big plus is their mail-in film development and scanning service.You can send in your exposed film by mail and receive digital data on your phone or computer. You can also choose the look of the final images, which makes the process approachable even for beginners.

Since waiting for your photos is part of the fun of film photography, having a smooth, well-designed workflow like this makes the experience even better.

◼︎Online store: https://voidlens.thebase.in/

◼︎Intsagram：https://www.instagram.com/kungfu.camera/

In Closing

I don’t think film cameras are tools for getting perfectly controlled results.Rather, they’re tools for enjoying the time photography takes.

You pause to think before shooting, and you wait after shooting. That entire process prevents photography from becoming something you “do and forget,” and instead turns it into something that naturally leads you to the next frame.

If you’ve been thinking, “I want to start photography,” or if digital cameras feel a bit intimidating, film photography can be a wonderful place to begin.

Don’t overthink it—just start with one roll.Give it a try.

Coming Up Next

In the next article, I’ll share some basic shooting tips for film beginners—simple things to remember that will help reduce mistakes.Stay tuned.